Back to School: How to Apply Eye Shadow (Everything Under $5)

I can't believe school has started back already for so many. Has this summer flown by or what? Today I'm kicking off my Back to School Week on the blog with a video tutorial on eye shadow. Eye shadow can be an intimidating aspect of makeup and it doesn't have to be. I'm sharing one technique, along with some tips & tricks, to show you how to master the look effortlessly. AND I'm keeping everything UNDER $5.

I chose a very wearable look for school or for work, that can be intensified as desired. This is just one technique, perfect for beginners, but feel free to use the colors that work for you.

Shadows:

• I chose a Wet N Wild trio. These are around $3 and come in a variety of colors. 
• To make it even easier, each color is stamped with where it goes on the lid (browbone, crease, lid).
• Pictured are Sweet as Candy, Knock on Wood, and Walking on Eggshells

Brushes:

• Good brushes under $5 are hard to find, but these are pretty good to start off with and are $3. I'll be using a shadow brush and contour brush from ELF. Optional: ELF smudge brush
• Dollar General has decent brushes under $5 too if you need more options.

See BEST/WORST ELF brushes here.

Step One:

• Optional: An eye shadow primer helps with color intensity, shadow longevity, and hides discoloration. ELF makes a $1 one, but other drugstore brands have primer options as well. Apply on the lid and blend.
• Take the eye shadow brush into the pink color. Tap off excess and pat onto lid. For some of you, this may be enough of a beginner shadow look.

Step Two:

• Take the contour brush and dip into the brown shade, tapping off the excess.
• Apply to crease in a back-and-forth or windshield wiper motion.

TIP:

• Next, blend out the shadow. This is where many beginners make a mistake--don't use the same dirty brush to blend. It will affect your blending and will cause the shadow to get muddy. Use a clean brush instead.
• Here's my tip: Instead of buying another brush, quickly clean it using a Stipple Sponge (these are sold for around $1.99 at Halloween stores or Party City). Just wipe the brush back and forth to clean it. This is faster and more thorough than using a dry paper towel. Be sure to thoroughly clean all brushes later, since this doesn't disinfect them.

Step Three:

• To add a little more dimension to the eye, apply the brown shade into the outer V (also called outer corner or < or >) of the lid and slightly onto the crease. Clean your brush and blend out. 

Step Four:

• Smudge brown shadow under lower lash line. This looks less harsh than liner.

Step Five:

• Use the lightest shade to highlight under the brow bone.
• Curl lashes, add mascara, and liner to the top lash line.

The tutorial below is HIGHLY recommended as it goes into thorough detail.

Watch and let me know what you think!

https://youtu.be/S_GrHXOOYz4

What's your favorite shadow palette?

When does school start where you are?

Extra Elle:

• Where did the weekend go? Mine was fast: I grabbed some movies (none were good), attended my friend's mom's funeral, had dinner at a Greek restaurant, finally got caught up on magazines, and made a Target run. And now it's Monday again! How was yours?